Display Device and Display Device Including Microphone Module

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0138234, filed on Oct. 11, 2024 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference into the present application.

The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device including a microphone module.

Display devices are implemented in a wide variety of forms, such as televisions, monitors, smartphones, tablet PCs, laptops, wearable devices, and the like.

An organic light-emitting display (OLED) among display devices for displaying various information as an image is a self-luminous device that emits light by itself, and has advantages in that a response speed is fast, light emission efficiency and luminance is high, and a viewing angle are large, and a contrast ratio and color gamut are excellent.

Recently, various functions have been added to the display devices in order to expand the application range of the organic light-emitting display device as well as the user's request for a high-quality image. One of the various functions added thereto in the spotlight is a display microphone function.

In this regard, in one example of a combination of the display device and the microphone, a dynamic type microphone can be used. In the dynamic type microphone, a coil moves by a sound wave, and the coil generates a current under a magnetic field. The dynamic type microphone has a relatively simple structure and is highly durable, but has low sensitivity and has a limitation in particularly precise voice recognition.

In another example of the combination of the microphone and the display device, a condenser-type microphone can be used. The condenser-type microphone is a high-sensitivity microphone which converts sound waves into electrical signals. The condenser-type microphone converts sound waves into electrical signals using a change in a capacitance between two metal plates acting as a diaphragm and a fixed electrode. The diaphragm is made of a thin and light conductive material and can vibrate by sound waves. This vibration can change the capacitance between the two electrodes, and the change in the capacitance is converted into an electrical signal to collect the sound. In this process, the condenser-type microphone needs an external power source, and can provide a structure advantageous for high-sensitivity voice recognition.

For example, a display device capable of high-sensitivity voice recognition can be implemented by applying the condenser-type microphone to the organic light-emitting display device. However, when the condenser-type microphone is applied to the organic light-emitting display device, both structural and electrical characteristics of the organic light-emitting display device and the condenser-type microphone should be considered. In particular, due to the thin and flexible characteristics of an organic light-emitting display panel, it can be difficult to effectively integrate and apply the diaphragm of the condenser-type microphone to the organic light-emitting display device.

Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes a new structure for integrating a condenser-type microphone into an OLED panel.

Accordingly, the inventor of the present disclosure has invented a display device having a new structure for integrating a condenser-type microphone into an organic light-emitting display device through various experiments.

A technical purpose to be achieved according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a display device into which a high-sensitivity microphone is integrated.

Another technical purpose to be achieved in accordance with the present disclosure is to provide a display device including a microphone capable of accurately detecting and measuring a change in capacitance between a front electrode and a rear electrode.

Still another technical purpose to be achieved in accordance with the present disclosure is to provide a display device including a microphone that reduces production energy and does not increase a thickness of the display device.

In addition, a technical purpose to be achieved according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a display device capable of implementing a microphone function with high sensitivity while maintaining touch performance of a display panel.

Purposes according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned purpose. Other purposes and advantages according to the present disclosure that are not mentioned can be understood based on following descriptions, and can be more clearly understood based on embodiments according to the present disclosure. Further, it will be easily understood that the purposes and advantages according to the present disclosure can be realized using means shown in the claims or combinations thereof.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a display panel; a cover member disposed on top of the display panel; a front electrode disposed on one side of the display panel; an insulating layer disposed under the display panel; a frame disposed under the insulating layer; and a rear electrode disposed under the frame so as to face the front electrode, wherein the cover member and the frame respectively include a first opening and a second opening, each disposed to overlap the front electrode in a vertical direction, wherein a change in capacitance between the front electrode and the rear electrode caused by vibration of the front electrode is converted into an audio output signal.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the front electrode can be disposed between the display panel and the insulating layer.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display device can further comprise a polarizing layer disposed between the cover member and the display panel, wherein the polarizing layer, the display panel, and the insulating layer vibrate together with the vibration of the front electrode.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display device can further comprise a touch layer disposed between the display panel and the polarizing layer.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display panel can include a touch layer.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the front electrode can be disposed between the cover member and the display panel.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display device can further comprise a polarizing layer disposed between the cover member and the front electrode, wherein the polarizing layer, the display panel, and the insulating layer vibrate together with the vibration of the front electrode.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display device can further comprise a touch panel disposed between the polarizing layer and the cover member.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display device can further comprise an antistatic layer made of the same material as the front electrode and disposed in the same layer as the front electrode, wherein the front electrode can be spaced apart from the antistatic layer by a predetermined distance.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display device can further comprise: a first wiring electrically connected to the front electrode; a connection electrode layer made of the same material as and disposed in the same layer as the front electrode to electrically connect the front electrode to the first wiring; and a second wiring electrically connected to the rear electrode, wherein a notch can be defined between the front electrode and the connection electrode layer, the notch having a thickness smaller than that of each of the front electrode and the connection electrode layer.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the front electrode can be a transparent electrode.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display panel can include: a display area; a non-display area disposed outside the display area; and a camera area disposed in the display area, wherein the camera area can be closer to one side of the display area than to the other side thereof, wherein the first opening can be disposed adjacent to the camera area and can be closer to one side of the display area than to the other side thereof.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a portion of the cover member corresponding to the camera area can be unopened.

A display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a display panel; a cover member disposed on top of the display panel; a front electrode disposed on one side of the display panel; an antistatic layer made of the same material as a material of the front electrode, wherein the antistatic layer and the front electrode can be disposed in the same layer; an insulating layer disposed under the display panel; a rear electrode disposed under the insulating layer so as to face the front electrode; and a microphone module configured to output a voltage between the front electrode and the rear electrode as an audio signal.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the front electrode can be disposed between the display panel and the insulating layer.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display device can further comprise an adhesive layer disposed between the front electrode and the insulating layer, wherein the front electrode can be a deposition layer deposited on the display panel.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the front electrode can be disposed between the cover member and the display panel.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display device can further comprise an adhesive layer disposed between the display panel and the insulating layer, wherein the front electrode can be a deposition layer deposited on the display panel.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the cover member has a first area overlapping the front electrode in a vertical direction, wherein a thickness of the first area in the vertical direction is smaller than a thickness of the cover member outside the first area.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the cover member can have a first area disposed to overlap the front electrode in a vertical direction, wherein the first area can be entirely opened.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the frame can have an opening defined therein and overlapping the front electrode in a vertical direction.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the front electrode can include indium tin oxide (ITO), wherein the insulating layer can include a polymer material.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front electrode serving as a diaphragm in the condenser-type microphone module is disposed on one side of the display panel, and the rear electrode is disposed under the frame, thereby enabling high-sensitivity detection of the change in capacitance between the front electrode and the rear electrode caused by the vibration of the front electrode. Accordingly, the condenser-type high-sensitivity microphone can be integrated into a display device.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, forming openings in both the cover member and the frame that vertically overlap the front electrode prevents the vibration of the front electrode due to external sound from being hindered by the cover member and the frame. The display device can accurately detect and measure the change in capacitance between the front electrode and the rear electrode.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front electrode is configured to be formed of the same material as the antistatic layer and in the same layer as the antistatic layer. Accordingly, the electrode performing a diaphragm function of the microphone and the layer performing an antistatic function of the display panel can be formed in a single process.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, through such process optimization, the microphone function and the antistatic function can be implemented in the same process without separate processes or an additional layer formation. This optimizes the manufacturing process by integrating the microphone and antistatic functions without additional processes or layers, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining the thin profile of the display device.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure by disposing the front electrode adjacent to the non-touch-functional camera area of the display device, signal interference between the touch-sensitive layer and the front electrode is effectively minimized. Accordingly, there is an effect of implementing a microphone function with high sensitivity while maintaining the touch performance of the display panel.

Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description as set forth below. In addition to the above effects, specific effects of the present disclosure are described together while describing specific details for carrying out the present disclosure.

Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and a method of achieving the advantages and features will become apparent with reference to embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as disclosed under, but can be implemented in various different forms. Thus, these embodiments are set forth only to make the present disclosure complete, and to entirely inform the scope of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs, and the present disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements, and as such perform similar functionality. Further, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure. Examples of various embodiments are illustrated and described further below. It will be understood that the description herein is not intended to limit the claims to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. A shape, a size, a ratio, an angle, a number, etc. disclosed in the drawings for illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The terminology used herein is directed to the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular constitutes “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural constitutes as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, and “including” when used in this disclosure, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

Expression such as “at least one of” when preceding a list of elements can modify an entirety of the list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list. In interpretation of numerical values, an error or tolerance therein can occur even when there is no explicit description thereof. In addition, it will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present “on” a second element or layer, the first element can be disposed directly on the second element or can be disposed indirectly on the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. It will be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being “connected to”, or “coupled to” a second element or layer, the first element can be directly connected to or coupled to the second element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers can be present therebetween. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers can also be present therebetween. Further, as used herein, when a layer, film, area, plate, or the like is disposed “on” or “on a top” of another layer, film, area, plate, or the like, the former can directly contact the latter or still another layer, film, area, plate, or the like can be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, area, plate, or the like is directly disposed “on” or “on a top” of another layer, film, area, plate, or the like, the former directly contacts the latter and still another layer, film, area, plate, or the like is not disposed between the former and the latter. Further, as used herein, when a layer, film, area, plate, or the like is disposed “below” or “under” another layer, film, area, plate, or the like, the former can directly contact the latter or still another layer, film, area, plate, or the like can be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, area, plate, or the like is directly disposed “below” or “under” another layer, film, area, plate, or the like, the former directly contacts the latter and still another layer, film, area, plate, or the like is not disposed between the former and the latter.

In descriptions of temporal relationships, for example, temporal precedent relationships between two events such as “after”, “subsequent to”, “before”, etc., another event can occur therebetween unless “directly after”, “directly subsequent” or “directly before” is not indicated. When a certain embodiment can be implemented differently, a function or an operation specified in a specific block can occur in a different order from an order specified in a flowchart. For example, two blocks in succession can be actually performed substantially concurrently, or the two blocks can be performed in a reverse order depending on a function or operation involved. It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and so on can be used herein to describe various elements, components, areas, layers and/or periods, these elements, components, areas, layers and/or periods should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, area, layer or section from another element, component, area, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, area, layer or section as described under could be termed a second element, component, area, layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

When an embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented differently, functions or operations specified within a specific block can be performed in a different order from an order specified in a flowchart. For example, two consecutive blocks can actually be performed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks can be performed in a reverse order depending on related functions or operations. The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure can be partially or entirely combined with each other, and can be technically associated with each other or operate with each other. The embodiments can be implemented independently of each other and can be implemented together in an association relationship.

In interpreting a numerical value, the value is interpreted as including an error range unless there is no separate explicit description thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. As used herein, “embodiments,” “examples,” “aspects, etc. should not be construed such that any aspect or design as described is superior to or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Further, the term ‘or’ means ‘inclusive or’ rather than ‘exclusive or’. That is, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context, the expression that ‘x uses a or b’ means one of natural inclusive permutations.

The terms used in the description as set forth below have been selected as being general and universal in the related technical field. However, there can be other terms than the terms depending on the development and/or change of technology, convention, preference of technicians, etc. Therefore, the terms used in the description as set forth below should not be understood as limiting technical ideas, but should be understood as examples of the terms for illustrating embodiments. Further, in a specific case, a term can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the detailed meaning thereof will be described in a corresponding description period. Therefore, the terms used in the description as set forth below should be understood based on not simply the name of the terms, but the meaning of the terms and the contents throughout the Detailed Descriptions. In description of flow of a signal, for example, when a signal is delivered from a node A to a node B, this can include a case where the signal is transferred from the node A to the node B via another node unless a phrase ‘immediately transferred’ or ‘directly transferred’ is used. Throughout the present disclosure, “A and/or B” means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise specified, and “C to D” means C inclusive to D inclusive unless otherwise specified. As used herein, a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, or an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction should not be interpreted only as having a geometric relationship with each other in which the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other or the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other, but can be interpreted as having a geometric relationship with each other in which the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction intersect each other at an angle other than 90 degrees or the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are intersect each other at an angle other than 90 degrees within a range in which a configuration of the present disclosure can work functionally. Further, the term “can” fully encompasses all the meanings and coverages of the term “may” and vice versa.

Hereinafter, a display device including a microphone according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. All the components of each display device or apparatus according to all embodiments of the present disclosure are operatively coupled and configured.

1 FIG. 2 FIG. is a view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a diagram illustrating a structure of a condenser-type microphone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

1 2 FIGS.and 1 Referring to, an example in which the display deviceis embodied as an organic electroluminescence display device (Organic Light-emitting Diodes Display Device) is described below. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

1 The display devicecan include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display area DA is an area in which a plurality of sub-pixels are disposed to substantially display an image. The display area DA can include not only sub-pixels for displaying an image, but also various driving elements and circuit elements for driving the sub-pixels. The non-display area NDA is an area in which an image is not substantially displayed, and can be disposed to surround the display area DA. The non-display area NDA can be referred to as a bezel area. In the non-display area NDA, various types of lines, a gate driver IC, a data driver IC, and a printed circuit board for driving the driving elements and the circuit elements disposed in the display area DA can be disposed.

In one example, a camera area CA and a microphone area MH can be disposed in the display area DA. The camera area CA is an area in which a photographing device such as a camera module is disposed under an area of a display panel corresponding to the display area DA. The camera area CA can be an area in which an image is not displayed or which has a lower resolution than that of the display area around the camera area CA.

1 1 1 FIG. For example, the display deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented in an under display camera (UDC) structure. The UDC structure is a structure in which the camera is integrated with the display panel while being positioned under the display panel so that the camera module is screened with the display screen and is not visible to a viewer. Such a structure has the advantage of maintaining a camera function while providing a wider screen because there is no need to provide a hole or a notch in the display screen. This UDC structure can be applied to various display devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. An example in which the display deviceillustrated inis embodied as a foldable display device is illustrated. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

1 1 In the UDC structure, in one example, a portion of the display area corresponding to the camera area CA normally displays a display screen in a display mode. In the camera mode, the portion of the display area corresponding to the camera area CA is deactivated or transparent such that the camera receives external light. In addition, in a touch display deviceincluding a touch function, a touch layer implementing the touch function may not be disposed in an area corresponding to the camera area CA or an area adjacent thereto. The camera area CA can be disposed closer to one side of the display area DA than to the other side thereof. For example, the camera area CA can be disposed at one of both opposing sides at the top of the display device.

1 100 In order to provide various functions and convenience, the display devicecan include components such as an illuminance sensor, an object recognition sensor and/or a biometric sensor as well as a camera module. These components can be formed in the display panelso as to overlap the camera area CA or can be formed adjacent to the camera area CA.

4 100 4 2 5 FIG. 2 FIG. In one example, the microphone area MH can be positioned adjacent to the camera area CA while being closer to one side of the display area DA than to the other side thereof. The microphone area MH is an area in which the microphone module(see) included in the display panelis disposed. Referring to, a microphone moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a condenser-type microphone.

2 2 The condenser-type microphonecan be implemented using a condenser including two flat plate-shaped electrodes. The condenser-type microphonecan convert a sound signal into an electrical signal using a principle in which the capacitance of the condenser changes based on a sound.

2 10 20 10 10 11 12 11 20 20 12 11 11 The microphonecan include a condenserand a power supplyfor driving the condenser. The condenseris composed of two flat-plate electrodes including a front electrodeand a rear electrode. The front electrodecan be connected to the power supply. However, the power supplycan be connected to the rear electrode. In order to effectively detect a change in capacitance of the condenser, the front electrodeis preferably embodied as a diaphragm made of a conductive material. For example, the front electrodecan be embodied as a transparent electrode made of, for example, ITO or IZO. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

40 2 11 11 12 10 When the soundgenerated from the outside out of the microphonevibrates the front electrodeembodied as the diaphragm made of a conductive material, a distance between the front electrodeand the rear electrodechanges. This change in the distance causes a change in the capacitance of the condenser, which can be the basis for converting a sound signal into an electrical signal.

10 11 12 10 10 20 11 20 2 2 20 10 20 12 2 FIG. When a voltage is not applied to the condenser, the capacitance does not change even if a distance change between the front electrodeand the rear electrodeoccurs due to an external sound. Therefore, a component for applying the power to the condenseris required.shows a scheme of applying a voltage to the condenserby connecting the power supplyto the front electrode. This power supplycan be embodied as a battery built into the microphoneor can employ a DC power located outside the microphone. In addition, in order to prevent an overcurrent from flowing from the power supplyto the condenser, a resistor R can be additionally connected to and disposed between the power supplyand the rear electrode.

2 13 14 13 14 11 12 20 13 1 14 2 13 14 The microphonecan include a first wiringand a second wiring, and the first wiringand the second wiringcan be electrically connected to the front electrodeand the rear electrode, respectively. The power supplycan be connected to the first wiring, and can be connected to a first node Nof the resistor R. The second wiringcan be connected to a second node Nof the resistor R. An output voltage V can be measured based on a voltage between the first wiringand the second wiring.

10 2 30 When the capacitance of the condenserchanges, the output voltage V changes, which can be recognized and processed as a change in a voice signal in an external system connected to the condenser-type microphone. For example, the external system can be a microphone receiver. Since the change in the output voltage V can be slight, an amplifier using a transistor or an operational amplifier can be additionally included to amplify the change.

2 The display panel of the organic light-emitting diode display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can vibrate by sound. Thus, this display panel can be combined with the flat type electrode to constitute the condenser, thereby implementing the microphonehaving a novel structure.

3 5 FIGS.to Hereinafter, a display panel including a microphone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to.

3 FIG. 4 FIG. 3 FIG. 5 FIG. 4 FIG. 1 illustrates a notebook PC as an example of the display device. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.is a side cross-sectional view of an area I-I′ in the vicinity of the microphone area MH in, andis a cross-sectional view illustrating a more specific stacked structure of a partial area A of.

3 5 FIGS.to 100 101 100 102 101 102 101 Referring to, the display panelcan include a substratesupporting a lower surface of the display paneland a display element layer. The substratecan include a polymer material such as polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, or the like. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The display element layerincluding an organic light-emitting element and a circuit area for driving the organic light-emitting element can be disposed on the substrate. The circuit area can include thin-film transistors for driving the organic light-emitting element. The organic light-emitting element can include an anode, a cathode, and an organic light-emitting layer positioned therebetween. In the organic light-emitting element, holes injected from the anode and electrons injected from the cathode are combined with each other in the organic emission layer to emit light, thereby displaying an image.

5 FIG. 103 100 100 100 103 As illustrated in, a touch layercan be separately provided on the display paneland can be disposed on the display panel. Alternatively, the display panelmay comprise a touch layer. The touch display device provided with the touch layeris a device for sensing a user's touch input such as a screen touch or a gesture. The touch sensing scheme can be of a resistive type, a capacitive type, an optical type, or an electromagnetic type. The display device operating in this scheme can be implemented as an on-cell touch type touch display device.

100 However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another example, the display panelcan be a touch display panel including a touch function. The display device operating in this scheme can be implemented as an in-cell touch type touch display device.

110 100 110 100 100 100 1 110 1 1 110 4 5 FIGS.and A polarizing layercan be disposed on the display panel. The polarizing layerselectively transmits light therethrough, thereby reducing reflection of external light incident on the display panel. Specifically, since the display panelincludes various metal layers used in a thin-film transistor, various wires, organic light-emitting elements, and the like, external light incident on the display panelcan be reflected from the metal layer, thereby deteriorating visibility of the display device. However, when the polarizing layeris applied thereto, external light can be absorbed thereby to improve an ambient contrast ratio of the display device. However, a configuration of the display deviceshown inis merely an example, and the polarizing layercan be omitted according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

120 100 110 120 100 120 100 A cover memberfor protecting the display panelfrom external impact, scratches, moisture, and the like can be disposed on the polarizing layer. The cover membermay be disposed on top of the display panel. The cover membercan be made of a transparent material having excellent impact resistance and scratch resistance, and can prevent external moisture penetration to prevent deterioration and quality degradation of the organic light-emitting display panel.

120 120 120 For example, the cover membercan be made of a glass material. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In another example, the cover membercan be a film composed of various polymers such as polyimide, polyamide imide, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polypropylene glycol, polycarbonate, and the like. In addition, the cover membercan include a multilayer structure in which various functional layers such as an external light reflection reduction layer, a UV blocking layer, a hard coating layer, etc. are stacked.

130 100 100 130 2 40 130 130 40 120 120 130 120 40 120 120 120 120 120 h h h h h h In one example, a front electrodecan be disposed on one side of the display panel, for example, a lower side of the display panel. As described above, the front electrodeacts as a layer that functions as the diaphragm of the microphoneand is a layer that vibrates in response to a sound. The front electrodecan be disposed in an area corresponding to the microphone area MH. In order for the front electrodeto vibrate well in response to the sound, a first openingcan be formed so as to extend through, in the vertical direction, the cover memberand can be positioned in an area overlapping the front electrodein the vertical direction. That is, the first openingcan serve as a passage through which the soundcan be transmitted. The first openingcan be formed in a position corresponding to the microphone area MH. Accordingly, the first openingcan also be disposed adjacent to the camera area CA disposed inside the display area DA and can be closer to one side of the display area DA than to the other side thereof. In this case, a portion of the cover membercorresponding to the camera area CA may not be opened. As described above, for example, the camera area CA can have the UDC structure. The first openingcan be formed in various shapes such as a circle, an oval, a semicircle, and a polygon in a plan view. For example, when the shape in the plan view of the microphone area MH is circular, the first openingcan also be formed in a circular shape in the plan view.

40 120 120 40 130 40 120 120 130 130 110 100 130 130 h h Since the soundgenerally does not pass through a thick glass material, the first openingcan be defined in the cover memberso that the soundcan be well transmitted to the front electrode. Accordingly, the soundhaving passed through the first openingof the cover membercan be transmitted to the front electrodeto vibrate the front electrode. In this case, the polarizing layerand the display paneldisposed on the front electrodecan vibrate together when the front electrodevibrates.

120 4 120 4 120 4 120 120 h h h h A size of the first openingcan be adjusted according to a size of the microphone module. For example, the first openingcan be equal to, smaller than, or larger than the size of the microphone module. The size of the first openingcan be appropriately changed according to the size of the microphone modulewhile maintaining the rigidity and function of the cover member. For example, the size of the first openingcan be 1 mm or greater. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

6 FIG. 121 120 130 120 121 122 120 121 130 In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to, a thickness in the vertical direction of a first areaof the cover memberdisposed to overlap the front electrodein the vertical direction can be smaller than a thickness of the cover memberoutside the first area, or smaller than a thickness in the vertical direction of a second areaof the cover memberother than the first areathat does not overlap the front electrodein the vertical direction.

121 120 40 121 130 120 110 100 130 121 120 40 121 130 120 120 121 120 4 FIG. h As described above, since the first areaof the cover memberis formed to have a small thickness without being entirely opened, the soundcan pass through the first areaof the cover member and can transmit the vibration to the front electrode. Accordingly, the cover membercan prevent the polarizing layerand the display paneldisposed thereunder from being exposed to the outside to protect the same, and can also serve to transmit the vibration to the front electrode. The thickness of the first areaof the cover memberis sized such that the soundcan pass through the first area. In this regard, the thickness is not particularly limited. In this case, as in the embodiment according to, in order to maximize the vibration transfer caused by the sound to the front electrode, the first openingcan be formed in the cover memberby entirely opening the first areaof the cover member.

134 130 130 134 130 134 130 134 134 100 In one example, an antistatic layercan be formed in the same layer as the layer of the front electrode. For example, the front electrodeand the antistatic layercan be formed in the same layer and can be made of the same material and can be formed in one same process. For example, each of the front electrodeand the antistatic layercan also be a deposition layer deposited using a deposition process. As described above, the front electrodecan be a transparent electrode such as ITO or IZO, and the antistatic layercan be embodied as a transparent electrode such as ITO or IZO. The antistatic layercan be a layer grounded to a ground to discharge static electricity generated in the display panelto the outside.

130 134 130 134 133 130 134 133 130 134 130 134 3 FIG. The front electrodeand the antistatic layermay not be continuously connected to each other and can be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. That is, the front electrodeand the antistatic layercan be formed in the same layer, but can be disconnected from each other. For example, referring to, a gapcan be formed between the front electrodeand the antistatic layerto form a predetermined distance. As the gapis formed between the front electrodeand the antistatic layer, the front electrodeand the antistatic layercan have different functions.

3 FIG. 130 133 130 134 130 133 130 134 130 134 133 130 133 130 134 130 133 130 134 130 40 Referring to in a plan view of, a size of an edge of the front electrodealong which the gapdefined between the front electrodeand the antistatic layerextends can be larger than a size of another edge of the front electrodealong which the gapdefined between the front electrodeand the antistatic layerdoes not extend. As described above, since the front electrodeand the antistatic layerare spaced apart from each other by the gap, and the size of an edge of the front electrodealong which the gapdefined between the front electrodeand the antistatic layerextends is larger than the size of another edge of the front electrodealong which the gapdefined between the front electrodeand the antistatic layerdoes not extend, the front electrodecan be more sensitively vibrated by the sound.

3 FIG. 130 130 134 133 132 130 134 130 130 In an example, in, the front electrodeis formed in an approximately rectangular shape in the plan view, and each of three of the four side surfaces of the front electrodefaces the antistatic layersuch that the gapis defined therebetween. However, a connection electrode layercan be formed on one side surface of the front electrodeopposite to the antistatic layersuch that the gap is not defined therebetween. However, a shape of the front electrodecomposed of the four side surfaces in the plan view is only an example, and the shape of the front electrodeis not limited thereto.

132 130 133 130 132 130 134 132 130 132 130 181 2 132 130 181 The connection electrode layercan be formed on one side surface of the front electrodenot defining the gapand can be connected to the front electrode. The connection electrode layercan be formed in the same layer as that of the front electrodeand the antistatic layerin one same process and can be made of the same material as that thereof. The connection electrode layercan be disposed between the front electrodeand the non-display area NDA. One side surface of the connection electrode layercan be connected to the front electrode, and the other side surface thereof can be electrically connected to a first wiringof the microphoneextending from the non-display area NDA. That is, the connection electrode layercan function as an electrical connection intermediate layer for electrically connecting the front electrodeand the first wiringto each other.

130 132 131 131 130 132 131 130 132 131 130 130 132 The front electrodeand the connection electrode layercan be electrically connected to each other while a notchis defined therebetween. A thickness of the notchcan be smaller than a thickness of each of the front electrodeand the connection electrode layer. For example, the notchcan be formed in a shape such as a bottle neck, such that the front electrodecan be prevented from being fixed to the connection electrode layerand thus can prevent the vibration of the front electrode from being insensitive to the sound. Accordingly, the notchcan function as a vibration axis of the front electrodethat allows the front electrodeto vibrate in the vertical direction in a state in which the connection electrode layeris fixed thereto.

140 132 134 130 140 140 100 140 101 100 140 An insulating layercan be disposed under the connection electrode layer, the antistatic layer, and the front electrode. The insulating layercan be referred to as a back plate. The insulating layercan support the lower surface of the display paneland protect the lower surface thereof from external impact or foreign substances. In addition, the insulating layercan function to prevent deformation or sagging of the substrateof the display panelhaving a small thickness. For example, the insulating layercan include various polymer materials such as polyimide (PI), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), silicone, polyurethane (PU), and the like. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

140 101 100 4 100 101 140 101 140 140 110 100 130 130 For example, the insulating layercan be made of the same material as that of the substrateof the display panel. When the microphone moduleis disposed on the rear surface of the display panel, each of the substrateand the insulating layeris preferably made of a thin polymer material to facilitate transmission of the sound therethrough. For example, each of the substrateand the insulating layercan include polyimide. The insulating layer, the polarizing layerand the display panelcan vibrate together with the vibration of the front electrodewhen the front electrodevibrates.

141 132 134 130 140 140 132 100 141 141 150 140 142 140 150 142 141 150 140 142 A first adhesive layercan be disposed between the connection electrode layer, the antistatic layer, and the front electrodeand the insulating layer. Accordingly, the insulating layercan be fixed to a lower surface of the connection electrode layerdisposed under the display panelvia the first adhesive layer. For example, the first adhesive layercan be made of an optical clear adhesive (OCA), a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), or the like. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. A framecan be disposed under the insulating layer. A second adhesive layercan be disposed between the insulating layerand the frame, and the second adhesive layercan be made of the same material as that of the first adhesive layer. Accordingly, the framecan be fixed to the lower surface of the insulating layervia the second adhesive layer.

150 100 150 100 150 150 The frameis an element for firmly supporting the lower surface of the display panel, and can also be referred to as a bottom plate. The framecan be embodied as a metal plate made of a metal material such as stainless steel (SUS), iron (Fe), Invar, aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), or the like. For example, stainless steel (SUS) provides high resilience and rigidity, so that the display panelcan be stably supported by the framewhile the framemaintains mechanical properties even in a small thickness.

150 130 150 150 120 130 150 h h h The framecan be disposed to overlap the front electrodein the vertical direction, and can include a second openingextending in the vertical direction through the frame. Accordingly, the first opening, the front electrode, and the second openingcan be disposed to overlap each other in the vertical direction.

40 150 150 150 40 150 150 150 h h h h h Since the soundgenerally does not pass through the metal material well, it is preferable that the frameis opened to have the second opening. That is, the second openingcan serve as a passage through which the soundcan transmit. The second openingcan be formed to correspond to and overlap with the microphone area MH. The second openingcan be formed in various shapes such as a circle, an oval, a semicircle, and a polygon in a plan view. For example, when the shape in a plan view of the microphone area MH is circular, the second openingcan also be formed in a circular shape in a plan view.

150 4 150 4 150 4 150 150 h h h h The size in the plan view of the second openingcan be adjusted according to the size in the plan view of the microphone module. For example, the size of the second openingcan be equal to, smaller than, or larger than the size of the microphone module. The size of the second openingcan be appropriately set according to the size of the microphone moduleand can be set so as to maintain the rigidity and function of the frame. For example, the size of the second openingcan be 1 mm or greater. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

120 110 100 130 140 150 3 2 3 2 150 160 160 141 142 160 130 160 160 120 130 150 160 2 160 4 160 h h h h The stacked structure including the cover member, the polarizing layer, the display panel, the front electrode, the insulating layer, the frame, and the like described above can constitute a panel assembly. The microphonecan be disposed under the panel assembly. The microphonecan be fixed to the lower surface of the framevia an adhesive portion. The adhesive portioncan be made of the same material as that of each of the first adhesive layerand the second adhesive layer. The adhesive portioncan be disposed to overlap the front electrodein the vertical direction, and can include a third openingextending in the vertical direction through the adhesive portion. Accordingly, the first opening, the front electrode, the second opening, and the third openingcan be disposed to overlap each other in the vertical direction. The microphonetogether with the adhesive portioncan constitute the microphone module. The adhesive portioncan function as a kind of encapsulation layer.

170 160 170 150 150 160 140 150 160 170 160 170 130 140 170 130 2 h h h h h A rear electrodecan be disposed under the adhesive portion. The rear electrodemay be disposed under the frame. For example, the second openingand the third openingcan be disposed to overlap each other in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the lower surface of the insulating layercan be exposed to the outside through the second openingand the third opening, and the rear electrodecan be disposed to cover the third opening. As described above, the rear electrodeis disposed to face the front electrodewith the insulating layerinterposed therebetween, and thus the rear electrodeand the front electrodecan constitute the condenser of the microphone.

2 181 130 182 170 100 130 100 130 170 130 170 The microphonecan include the first wiringelectrically connected to the front electrodeand the second wiringelectrically connected to the rear electrode. The display panelcan vibrate in response to the sound generated from the outside, and thus the front electrodecoupled to the display panelalso vibrates. Accordingly, the distance between the front electrodeand the rear electrodeis changed, and the capacitance of the condenser composed of the front electrodeand the rear electrodeis changed.

130 170 130 170 130 170 183 130 170 183 100 130 170 190 190 190 2 130 170 130 2 130 170 In order to change the capacitance of the condenser composed of the front electrodeand the rear electrode, an electric field should be generated between the front electrodeand the rear electrode. To this end, the front electrodeor the rear electrodeis connected to the power supply, and then a voltage should be applied across the front electrodeand the rear electrodethrough the power supply. When the display panelvibrates due to the sound generated from the outside, and the capacitance of the condenser composed of the front electrodeand the rear electrodechanges, the voltage of the condenser also changes. At this time, when the voltage of the condenser is output to the microphone receiver, the microphone receivercan recognize the change in the voltage V as a change in the voice signal and process the signal. The microphone receivercan be referred to as a host system. As described above, in the microphoneaccording to the present disclosure, the change in capacitance between the front electrodeand the rear electrodedue to the vibration of the front electrodecan be converted into an audio output signal. That is, the microphonecan output the voltage between the front electrodeand the rear electrodeas the audio signal.

7 FIG. 7 FIG. 2 1 191 100 191 191 Referring to, the microphoneof the display deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure can further include an amplifier. The display panelvibrates so finely that humans cannot recognize the vibration, and accordingly, the capacitance and voltage of the condenser can be finely changed. Thus, such a minute change can be distorted by noise. Thus, in accordance with the present disclosure, the amplifieris provided at a terminal for outputting the voltage of the condenser as shown in, so that the voltage of the condenser can be amplified by the amplifier and output therefrom. The amplifiercan be embodied as a transistor or an operational amplifier.

4 191 1 2 183 130 1 1 2 The microphone moduleincluding the amplifiercan include a resistor R, a first node N, and a second node N. One end of the power supplycan be connected to the front electrode, and the other end thereof can be connected to the first node N. One end of the resistor R can be connected to the first node N, and the other end thereof can be connected to the second node N, thereby preventing an overcurrent from flowing.

170 2 182 1 191 1 2 2 191 1 2 190 190 The rear electrodecan be connected to the second node Nvia the second wiring, and a first input terminal AIof the amplifiercan be connected to the first node Nand a second input terminal AIcan be connected to the second node N. The amplifieramplifies a voltage difference between a voltage of the first node Nand a voltag4e of the second node Ninto which the voltage V of the condenser is divided and outputs the amplified voltage difference as the amplified voltage to the microphone receiver, and the microphone receivercan recognize the change in the amplified voltage as a change in the audio signal and process the signal based on the recognition result.

130 4 100 170 150 130 170 130 2 1 According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the front electrodeserving as the diaphragm in the condenser-type microphone moduleis disposed on one side of the display panel, and the rear electrodeis disposed under the frame, so that a change in capacitance between the front electrodeand the rear electrodecaused by the vibration of the front electrodecan be detected with high sensitivity. Accordingly, the condenser-type high-sensitivity microphonecan be integrated into the display device.

120 150 120 150 130 130 120 150 130 170 h h In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first openingand the second openingare respectively formed in the cover memberand the frameand overlap the front electrodein the vertical direction, so that the vibration of the front electrodedue to the external sound may not be disturbed by the cover memberand the frame. Accordingly, the change in capacitance between the front electrodeand the rear electrodecan be accurately sensed and measured.

130 134 2 100 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front electrodecan be designed to be made of the same material as that of and can be formed in the same layer as that of the antistatic layer. Accordingly, the electrode performing a diaphragm function of the microphoneand the layer performing an antistatic function of the display panelcan be formed in a single process.

Through such process optimization, the microphone function and the antistatic function can be implemented in the same process without separate processes or an additional layer formation. This can reduce the production energy of the display device, and allow for integrating the high-sensitivity condenser microphone with the display device without increasing the thickness of the display device.

130 In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front electrodecan be disposed adjacent to the camera area CA in which the touch function of the display device is not implemented, such that the interference problem between the layer implementing the touch function and the front electrode can be effectively reduced. Accordingly, there is an effect of implementing a microphone function with high sensitivity while maintaining the touch performance of the display panel.

103 100 110 130 100 140 130 103 130 103 100 103 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a separate touch layeris formed between the display paneland the polarizing layer, the front electrodeis preferably disposed between the display paneland the insulating layerin order to reduce a signal interference of the front electrodeby the touch layer. Accordingly, since the front electrodecan be disposed to be spaced apart from the touch layerwith the display panelinterposed therebetween, the signal interference caused by the touch layercan be reduced.

100 130 103 130 100 140 101 100 130 100 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the display panelis implemented as a touch display panel including a touch function, in order to reduce the signal interference of the front electrodeby the touch layer, the front electrodeis preferably disposed between the display paneland the insulating layer. In this case, the substrateconstituting the lower surface of the display panelcan space the front electrodefrom the layer performing the touch function in the display panelby a predetermined distance, such that the signal interference caused by the touch display panel can be reduced.

1 1 8 10 FIGS.to A display deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with further reference to. Those duplicate with the descriptions about the display deviceaccording to the above-described embodiment will be omitted, and a difference therebetween will be mainly described.

8 9 FIGS.and 104 110 104 100 110 104 104 120 104 h h Referring to, the touch panelcan be disposed on the polarizing layer. The touch panelcan be provided in a panel form separate from the display paneland can have an add-on-type touch structure that is stacked on the polarizing layer. In this case, the touch panelhas a fourth openingdefined therein so as to overlap the first openingin the vertical direction. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in the touch panel, a separate opening may not be formed.

130 134 132 110 100 130 104 110 104 In this case, the front electrode, the antistatic layer, and the connection electrode layercan be disposed between the polarizing layerand the display panel. Accordingly, since the front electrodecan be disposed to be spaced apart from the touch panelwith the polarizing layerinterposed therebetween, signal interference caused by the touch panelcan be reduced.

10 FIG. 130 134 132 110 100 121 120 130 122 120 121 130 In addition, according to an embodiment of, the front electrode, the antistatic layer, and the connection electrode layercan be disposed between the polarizing layerand the display panel. In this case, the thickness of the first areaof the cover memberdisposed to overlap the front electrodein the vertical direction can be smaller than the thickness of the second areaof the cover memberin the vertical direction other than the first areathat does not overlap the front electrodein the vertical direction.

121 120 40 121 130 120 110 100 130 121 120 40 121 130 120 120 121 120 4 FIG. h As described above, the first areaof the cover memberis formed to have a small thickness without being entirely opened. Thus, the soundcan pass through the first areaof the cover member and can transmit vibration to the front electrode. Accordingly, the cover membercan prevent the polarizing layerand the display paneldisposed thereunder from being exposed to the outside to protect the same, and can also serve to transmit vibration to the front electrode. The thickness of the first areaof the cover memberis sized such that the soundcan pass through the first area. In this regard, the thickness is not particularly limited. In this case, as in the embodiment according to, in order to maximize the vibration transfer from the sound to the front electrode, the first openingcan be formed in the cover memberby entirely opening the first areaof the cover member.

Although some embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure may not be limited to some embodiments and can be implemented in various different forms. Those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs will be able to appreciate that the present disclosure can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that some embodiments as described above are not restrictive but illustrative in all respects.